Once almost completely covered by sand dunes and appearing like a desert, the Outer Sunset began to be developed and populated after the 1906 earthquake and fire. Surrounded by Golden Gate Park on the north and Ocean Beach on the west, the Outer Sunset is often shrouded in fog and was originally referred to as “the Outside Lands” by 19th century San Franciscans.
While mostly residential, the Outer Sunset does have a thriving retail section on Irving Street between 19th and 27th avenues. The Sunset is an ideal place to walk, bike or jog given that it’s loaded with trees and grass that separate car traffic from pedestrians. Walks on the beach and visits to the San Francisco Zoo are among the main attractions for those visiting the Outer Sunset. Though sunny days are somewhat few and far behind, they appear mostly in September and October as opposed to the typical summer months.
